Ice and beverage dispensing apparatus

Abstract

An automatic ice and beverage dispensing machine having an ice dispensing chute assembly which is rotatable. As a rotating chute rotates rearward, a lifting motion first moves a locking device which locks a door in place and then elevates the door so that ice can freely flow from an ice storage bin. A switch is contacted which initiates the flow of ice from the ice storage bin. Releasing the rotating chute causes it to rotate (due to gravity) back to its initial, neutral position, disengaging the switch and stopping the flow of ice from the ice storage bin, reversing the lifting action on the door and the locking device, closing the door and locking the door in place to prevent further flow of ice from the ice storage bin.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An ice and beverage dispensing machine comprising: 
       an ice storage bin;  
       a plurality of beverage dispensing valves in communication with said ice storage bin; and  
       an ice dispensing chute assembly in communication with said ice storage bin, said ice dispensing chute assembly including:  
       a pair of brackets mounted to said ice storage bin;  
       a rotatable chute pivotally attached to said pair of brackets, said rotatable chute including an upwardly extending projection;  
       a door assembly pivotally attached to said pair of brackets;  
       a limit switch mounted to one of said pair of brackets; and  
       a shaft extending longitudinally between a first side and a second side of said rotatable chute;  
       wherein said shaft engages said door assembly causing said door assembly to move to an open position and contact said limit switch.  
     
     
       2. The ice and beverage dispensing machine according to claim  1 , further comprising an inclined discharge chute in communication with said ice storage bin and located between said pair of brackets, and a cylindrical rotor housed in said ice storage bin, wherein said cylindrical rotor scoops up ice in said ice storage bin and delivers said ice to said inclined discharge chute. 
     
     
       3. The ice and beverage dispensing machine according to claim  1 , wherein said door assembly includes: 
       a door having a distal end and a proximal end;  
       a door support member pivotally attached to said pair of brackets at one end and connected to said door at a second end intermediate said distal end and said proximal end of said door;  
       a rotating latch member pivotally attached to said proximal end of said door; and  
       a stop mounted to at least one of said pair of brackets.  
     
     
       4. The ice and beverage dispensing machine according to claim  3 , wherein said door further includes a drip edge connected to said distal end of said door. 
     
     
       5. The ice and beverage dispensing machine according to claim  1 , further comprising a drain sink in communication with said plurality of beverage dispensing valves and said ice dispensing chute assembly. 
     
     
       6. The ice dispensing chute assembly of claim  1 , wherein said rotatable chute includes a push lever.